Paul's words to the Sanhedrin
Witness to the world: Book of Acts • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 56:20
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Paul’s strategy Continues
Paul’s strategy Continues
From speaking with the commander, to speaking to the angry mob, now to speak to the Sanhedrin council. Paul uses words to make a point and a difference. Along the way will give us somethings to consider this evening.
When it comes to Paul and his confidence there is almost an audacious recklessness manner about him.
To the commander he was courteous and polite (Act21:37-40)
To the angry mob he presents a historic defence (Act22:1-21)
To because of claimed citizenship was protected (Act22:22-29)
To now today, Paul’s words to the Sanhedrin (Act22:30-23:10)
The Roman Commander, Claudius wanted to know and was seeking the truth about Paul, from the assumption he was an Egyptian insurrectionist to and educated Roman citizen. He wants to know why is the mob so angry with him. He did not realize the fact He was God’s provision of protection for Paul to be able to continue his journey to Rome. Paul never missed an opportunity to preach and from the angry mob, to the divided Sanhedrin we see in the passage today. Paul was not concerned about pleasing man, but pleasing God and his words had enraged the mob and will divide the Sanhedrin all in the name of Jesus.
(Transition) So, this evening we are going to:
The defense (Act23:1-5)
The division (Act23:6-10)
The discussion (observations)
The Defense
The Defense
Hum, wonder how you be on the defense and the offense at the same time? Paul seems to do that and we can see that in our text today. Paul, polite, bold, determined and dedicated speaks up regardless of the consequences to him personally.
1 Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, “Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day.” 2 The high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth.
3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?” 4 But the bystanders said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”
5 And Paul said, “I was not aware, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
Gleaning from the scripture:
Question: What does Paul assert about himself and his life (v.1)?
He has lived with a perfectly good conscience.
Question: Paul’s assertion angered the High Priest and caused him to do what (v.2)?
Commanded those beside him to strike him on the mouth.
Question: Paul retorts back after being struck, making a very bold statement, what is it (v.3)?
God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall!
Question: Paul is questioned about reviling against the High Priest (v.4) and in (v.5) what is his response, it’s OK to use your own words here.
this is a subjective answer so don’t put it on the screen.
Paul’s address to the Sanhedrin: Paul knew he was addressing the council (v.1) and he still addressed them as “brethren” and that would not be a normal salutation when addressing the Sanhedrin, the normal would be “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel.” So Paul is putting himself on same level as they are and not giving and preference.
Paul’s claim: Paul claims to have lived with a perfectly good, clear conscience (v.1); which he also said to Timothy (2Tim1:3).
Paul’s consequence: Ananias the High Priest commands for those with him to strike Paul on the mouth. Why?
Because of what Paul had been accused of. (teaching contrary to the Law of Moses, Circumcision, no need to follow traditions of Jews).
They struck Paul in the mouth as commanded because the claim that he lived with a pure conscience even though these accusations were against him.
Interesting fact that by the command it is breaking the law for it is said that:
“He who strikes the cheek of an Israelite, strikes, as it were, the glory of God.”
Paul’s retort: Go is going to strike you, and calls him a whitewash wall (tomb) - tombs with dead bodies would be painted white so no one would touch them and defile themselves.
Paul either does not care of really did not know that he just said that to the High Priest Ananias.
Ananias was well known and notorious as a glutton, a thief, a robber and a puppet for Rome. So, there is great chance that Paul did know him and had never met another high priest like him before. Or he was refusing to acknowledge him as the high priest.
Bystanders response: “do you revile the High Priest”
Oops maybe said the wrong thing to the wrong person for this is in violation to the law, (Exo22:28)
28 “You shall not curse God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
Paul’s repentance: Paul acknowledged he did something that was unlawful for him to have spoken against the High Priest and that now leads us to our next section:
The Division
The Division
Paul the polite, educated man who faced the angry mob standing before the Sanhedrin is ready to boldly continue with his defense that brings about division.
6 But perceiving that one group were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, Paul began crying out in the Council, “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!” 7 As he said this, there occurred a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.
8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 And there occurred a great uproar; and some of the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and began to argue heatedly, saying, “We find nothing wrong with this man; suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”
10 And as a great dissension was developing, the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
Gleaning from the scripture:
Question: What does Paul say he is on trial for (v.6)?
On trial for hope and resurrection of the dead.
Question: A dissension happens (v.7) but why, look at (v.8)?
The Sadducees do not believe in resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit. But the Pharisees do.
Question: An uproar and a heated argument get started and a great dissension was developing, what did the Commander do (vv.9-10)?
The Commander was afraid, ordered troops to take him (Paul) away to the barracks.
Paul had identified himself as a Pharisee (v.6) knowing it was going to identify with some and alienate the others. This actually worked for Paul’s advantage look at (v.9) again and see how the Pharisees respond.
9 The shouting became louder, and some of the teachers of the Law who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and protested strongly: “We cannot find anything wrong with this man! Perhaps a spirit or an angel really did speak to him!”
The teachers, the Pharisees stood up, sided with Paul.
God’s protector one more time was a gentile, Roman commander who feared for Paul’s life and sent troops to protect and bring Paul back to the barracks.
(Transition) That is where we stop with the scripture there today exegetically, but more to say in making some observations.
Discussion and observations
Discussion and observations
There are some observations we can make, and things we can learn and apply from this scripture. From Paul’s conscience, Paul’s outburst and Paul’s hope.
Paul’s conscience (Act23:1, 24:16; Pro14:12, 28:26; Ps119:104-105; Ref: 2Tim1:3; Act2:47, 26:9-11)
Paul had a clear conscience about his life, his past (Act23:1) and strove to have a good conscience (Act24:16) and previously looked at (2Tim1:3)
1 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”
and his striving today and for the future
16 “In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.
Not just before God but even before men too. Those with a good godly conscience can have favor before men, all men when you look at (Act2:47); He did this he had persecuted Christians (as noted in Act26:9-11)
Paul’s conscience, and ours is not always a sure guide
Your conscience is impacted by your input, it is alike a clock it is correct only if it is properly set. Setting it wrong, or basing on wrong information (input) could mislead you time and time again.
It is important, imperative, that we properly inform our conscience.
Not with doctrine of man, or even our own thoughts and conclusions at times
12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
oh no, that is not good is it?
26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered.
What we can trust ourselves with is the Word of God
104 From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
(Transition) So we can learn from Paul that we can have a good conscience, a clear conscience but not a right conscience, so we need to be careful what we allow in.
Paul’s outburst (Act23:2-5; Lev19:15; Ecc10:20; 2Tim2:24-26; Ref: Exo22:28; 2Pt2:10; Jude1:8-10)
As you know after the command to be struck, Paul retorted and rebuked the high priest (vv.22-23)
Paul accuses of him judging him according to the law while breaking the law himself:
15 ‘You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you are to judge your neighbor fairly.
Remember “He who strikes the cheek of an Israelite, strikes, as it were, the glory of God.” Paul was a Jew, was a Pharisee, son of a Pharisee
After Paul’s outburst Paul was informed that he was the high priest and Paul claims did not know, I already spoke of that.
A little more for you about Ananiah, Josephus depicted that Ananias as “one of the worst of the high priests, known for his pro-Roman sentiments, his extreme cruelty, and his greed.” (John b Polhill (NAC) - it was less than 10 year later that Ananias dies at the hands of the Jewish freedom fighters.
After Paul’s outburst and identity made known, Paul quickly repents, apologizes (vv.4-5) for he knew no one is to speak against a ruler as mentioned (Exo22:28 earlier).
So, things to consider here
Paul either lost his temper like we all can do at times, but quickly adjusted, apologized and brought it back under control
He could have been moved by the Holy Spirit with righteous indignation of the hypocritical Ananias (i.e. like Jesus and the white washed tomb pharisee’s)
we need to keep in mind we should look to Paul’s teaching moreso here than his example
24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,
26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
(Transition) Now that brings us to another point.
Paul’s hope (Act24:15, 26:6-8; 1Cor15:12-19, 50-54; Eph4:4; Ref: Act23:6; Rom8:23-25)
Question: What is hope? What do we have hope in? Does our life prove that which we have hope in?
Paul spoke of hope and the resurrection (ref: Act23:6)
In fact he spoke other places too about it when standing before trial
15 having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
This is when he was standing before Felix (the local governor) after the high priest Ananias arrived. then comes another one
6 “And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers; 7 the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews. 8 “Why is it considered incredible among you people if God does raise the dead?
This is when he stood before the almost persuaded King Agrippa. Paul’s hope was in him, Paul’s hope followed him, Paul’s hope was defined in the the resurrection from the dead of Christ Jesus. And wait, there is more to Paul’s hope.
Paul’s hope in our redemption by which we are saved (Rom8:23-25)
23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
Question: Look at (v.24-25) what can you tell me about hope?
Hope is that which we are saved (v.24)
Hope is not seen (v.24)
Hope brings about perseverance as we wait for it to be fulfilled (v.24)
Now this next portion of scripture is a little longer but when we are talking about Paul’s hope and our hope that saves, hope that is not seen, hope that brings perseverance we should look at.
12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised;
14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised.
16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.
18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.
Hope in the resurrection from the dead of Christ, that without that, then our faith, our hope is worthless and we are still in our sins. Then jumping down a bit further in this chapter
50 Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed,
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.
The resurrection of the body is a crucial element of our one hope
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
(Conclusion) - -
Having a good, a clear conscience can be good, but not accurate if you don’t have the right guide, the right input
It was a sin then, and it is a sin now to speak evil about those who rule over us.
There is a great connection between hope and the resurrection of Christ and our resurrection too!
According to (2Cor5:10) one day we will give an account not to man, but to God, so let today and each day moving forward be a preparation day for that day.
(Prayer) (Exit)